Heterocyclic compounds

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to triazole and imidazole compounds useful as fungicides, to a process for preparing them, to fungicidal compositions containing them, and to a method of combating fungal infections in plants using them. 
     The triazole and imidazole compounds have the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R 1  and R 2 , which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylmethyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl or aralkyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, halophenyl or haloalkoxy; R 3  is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl or acyl; R 4  and R 5 , which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or optionally substituted aryl; R 6  and R 7 , which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or optionally substituted aryl; X is oxygen or sulphur or is SO or SO 2  and Az is a 1,2,4- or 1,3,4-triazole or imidazole ring; and isomers, acid addition salts and metal complexes thereof.

This invention relates to triazole and imidazole compounds useful asfungicides, to a process for preparing them, to fungicidal compositionscontaining them, and to a method of combating fungal infections inplants using them.

The triazole and imidazole compounds have the general formula (I):##STR2## wherein R¹ and R², which may be the same or different, arehydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylmethyl,alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl or aralkyl optionally substituted withhalogen, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl,benzyloxy, halophenyl or haloalkoxy; R³ is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, aralkyl or acyl; R⁴ and R⁵, which may be the same or different,are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ and R⁷,which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl oroptionally substituted aryl; X is oxygen or sulphur or is SO or SO₂ andAz is a 1,2,4- or 1,3,4-triazole or imidazole ring; and isomers, acidaddition salts and metal complexes thereof.

The compounds of the invention contain at least one chiral centre. Suchcompounds are generally obtained in the form of isomeric mixtures.However, these and other mixtures can be separated into the individualisomers by methods known in the art.

The alkyl groups may be straight or branched chain groups having 1 to 6,e.g. 1 to 4, carbon atoms; examples are methyl, ethyl, propyl (n- oriso-propyl) and butyl (n-, sec-, iso- or t-butyl). Cycloalkyl groups maybe, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

Examples of suitable substituents for the aryl and aralkyl groups, whichare preferably optionally substituted phenyl and benzyl, are halogen(e.g. fluorine, chlorine or bromine), C₁₋₅ alkyl [e.g. methyl, ethyl,propyl (n- or iso-propyl) and butyl (n-, sec-, iso- or t-butyl], C₁₋₄alkoxy (e.g. methoxy and ethoxy), halo- C₁₋₄ alkyl (e.g. trifluoromethylor 1, 1, 2, 2-tetrafluoroethyl), halo-C₁₋₄ alkoxy (e.g. trifluoromethoxyor 1, 1, 2, 2-tetrafluoroethoxy), nitro, cyano, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl,benzyloxy (any of the latter four groups may be ring substituted, e.g.with halogen), alkylenedioxy, haloalkylenedioxy (e.g.difluoromethylenedioxy), amino, acetylamino, mono- or di- C₁₋₄alkylamino (e.g. dimethylamino), hydroxy, morpholino and carboxy (andalkyl esters thereof).

The alkyl moiety of a benzyl group can be substituted with, for example,one or two alkyl groups (e.g. methyl or ethyl). When substituted thephenyl and benzyl groups may bear one, two or three substituents asdefined above. Preferably the phenyl and benzyl groups have asubstituent in the 2-, 3- or 4-position. Examples of these groups arephenyl, benzyl, α-methylbenzyl, 2-, 3- or 4-chlorophenyl, 2,4- or2,6-dichlorophenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-or 2,6-difluorophenyl,2-, 3- or 4-bromophenyl, 2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl,2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl, 2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl, 2-, 3- or4-methoxyphenyl, 2, 4-dimethoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-ethoxyphenyl, 2-, 3-or 4-nitrophenyl, 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl, 2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl, 2-, 3-or 4-methylphenyl, 2,4-di-methylphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-t-butylphenyl, 2-,3 - or 4-tri-fluoromethylphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl, 2-,3- or 4-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)phenyl,2,3-(difluoromethylenedioxy)phenyl, 2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl,2-methoxy-4-fluorophenyl, 2-methoxy-4-chlorophenyl,2-methoxy-4-fluorophenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-phenoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or4-phenylphenyl (2-, 3- or 4-biphenylyl), 2-, 3- or 4-benzylphenyl, 2-,3- or 4-benzyloxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-(4-chloro- or4-fluorobenzyloxy)phenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-aminophenyl, 2-, 3- or4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-hydroxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or4-carboxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl, 2-, 3- or4-morpholinophenyl and the corresponding ring substituted benzyl and-methyl benzyl groups.

Heterocyclic groups may be, for example, pyridyl, furyl or thienyl.

In a further aspect the invention provides the triazole and imidazolecompounds having the general formula (I): ##STR3## wherein R¹ ishydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylmethyl,alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl or aralkyl optionally substituted withhalogen, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy,benzyl, benzyloxy, halophenyl, haloalkoxy; R² is any of the values forR¹ except optionally substituted phenyl when X is oxygen and R³ to R⁷are hydrogen; R³ is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl or acyl;R⁴ and R⁵, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, alkyl,alkenyl or optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ and R⁷, which may be the sameor different, are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or optionally substitutedaryl; X is oxygen or sulphur or is SO or SO₂ and Az is a 1,2,4- or1,3,4-triazole or imidazole ring; and isomers, acid addition salts andmetal complexes thereof.

In another aspect the invention provides triazole and imidazolecompounds having the general formula (I): ##STR4## wherein R¹ and R²,which may be the same or different, are alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl orbenzyl optionally substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl,halophenyl, R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁴ and R⁵, which may be thesame or different are hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or allyl; R⁶ and R⁷ arehydrogen; X is oxygen and Az is a 1,2,4-triazole ring; and acid additionsalts and metal complexes thereof.

The ivention further includes compounds as defined in the precedingparagraph but wherein R² is other than optionally substituted phenylwhen X is oxygen and R³ to R⁷ are hydrogen.

In a still further aspect the invention provides triazole and imidazolederivatives as claimed in the claim 1 wherein in formula I R¹ is C₁₋₆alkyl, phenyl or halophenyl; R² is C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl,both of which may be substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl, halogen orhalophenyl; R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are hydrogenor C₁₋₆ alkyl; and X is oxygen.

In a yet further aspect the invention provides triazole and imidazolederivatives as defined in the preceding paragraphs wherein R² is otherthan optionally substituted phenyl when Az is a 1,2,4-triazole orimidazole ring, X is O, R¹ is alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl oroptionally substituted cycloalkyl and R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ arehydrogen.

The salts can be salts with inorganic or organic acids e.g.hydrochloric, nitric, sulphuric, acetic, 4-toluene sulphonic or oxalicacid.

Suitably the metal complex is one including, as the metal, copper, zinc,manganese or iron. It preferably has the general formula: ##STR5##wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, Az and X are as defined above, Mis metal, A is an anion (e.g. a chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate,sulphate or phosphate anion), n is 2 or 4 and y is O or an integer of 1to 12, and m is an integer consistent with valency.

Examples of the compounds of the invention are shown in Table I below.These compounds correspond to the general formula:

                                      TABLE I                                     __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR6##                                                                     COMPOUND                                               Melting                NO        R.sup.1     R.sup.2         R.sup.3                                                                          R.sup.4                                                                           R.sup.5                                                                          R.sup.6                                                                         R.sup.7                                                                         X  Point                  __________________________________________________________________________                                                           °C.               1        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H O  85.5-87                  2        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-phenylphenyl  H  H   H  H H O  120.5-122                3        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-chlorophenylphenyl                                                                          H  H   H  H H O                           4        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                            H  2,4-dichlorophenylphenyl                                                          H  H H O  126-127                  5        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                             .sub.-i-propyl H  H   H  H H O                           6        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                              -n-propyl     H  H   H  H H O                           7        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  CH.sub.3                                                                         H   H  H H O  Oil                      8        .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H O                           9       4-chlorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-i-propyl H  H   H  H H O                           10      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H O  93-94.5                  11      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                            H  H   H  H H O                           12*      .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H O  160-161                  13       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  H  H   H  H H O  76-77                    14      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H  H   H  H H O  95-96                    15       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl                                                                      H  H   H  H H O  108-109                  16      phenyl      4-methoxyphenyl H  H   H  H H S  Gum                      17      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  H  H   H  H H S  83-85                    18      2-chlorophenyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  H  H   H  H H S  Gum                      19      2-fluorophenyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  H  H   H  H H S  80-82                    20      2-fluorophenyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H S  70-72                    21      2-chlorophenyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H S  Gum                      22       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H S  64-65                    23      phenyl      4-methoxyphenyl H  H   H  H H SO 190-195*                 24      2-fluorophenyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  H  H   H  H H SO Gum*                     25      2-fluorophenyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H SO*                                                                              130-136                                                                       (decomposition)          26       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H SO*                                                                              140-145                                                                       (decomposition)          27      phenyl      4-methoxyphenyl H  H   H  H H SO.sub.2                                                                         Glass                    28      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  H  H   H  H H SO.sub.2                                                                         124-125                                                                       (decomposition)          29      2-fluorophenyl                                                                            4-fluorophenyl  H  H   H  H H SO.sub.2                                                                         104-105                                                                       (decomposition)          30      2-fluorophenyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H SO.sub.2                                                                         102-104                                                                       (decomposition)          31       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-chlorophenyl  H  H   H  H H SO.sub.                                                                          114-116                  32      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O  103-104.5                33       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            2-chloro-4-phenylphenyl                                                                       H  H   H  H H O  83-84                    34      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        methyl          H  H   H  H H O  105-106                  35      4-fluorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H  H   H  H H O  89.5-91                  36       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-methylphenyl  H  H   H  H H O  105-106                  37      2-fluorophenyl                                                                            4-phenylphenyl  H  H   H  H H O  138-139                  38       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-methoxyphenyl H  H   H  H H O  78-79                    39       .sub.-i-propyl                                                                           4-phenylphenyl  H  H   H  H H O  137-138.5                40       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            2-phenylphenyl  H  H   H  H H O  106-107                  41      phenyl       .sub.-i-propyl H  H   H  H H O                           42      4-chlorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-i-propyl H  H   H  H H O  Oil                      43      4-fluorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-i-propyl H  H   H  H H O  Oil                      44      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                         .sub.-i-propyl H  H   H  H H O  Oil                      45      4-fluorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-i-propyl H  H   H  H H O  121-122*                                                                      (decomposes)             46      4-chlorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-i-propyl H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           47      4-fluorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-i-propyl H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           48      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                         .sub.-i-propyl H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           49      phenyl       -n-propyl      H  H   H  H H O                           50      4-chlorophenyl                                                                             -n-propyl      H  H   H  H H O  Oil                      51      4-fluorophenyl                                                                             -n-propyl      H  H   H  H H O  Oil                      52      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                         -n-propyl      H  H   H  H H O  Oil                      53      phenyl       -n-propyl      H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           54      4-chlorophenyl                                                                             -n-propyl      H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           55      4-fluorophenyl                                                                             -n-propyl      H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           56      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                         -n-propyl      H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                            57      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O  Gum                     58      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O  110-113                   59      4-methylphenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O  Gum                     60      4-methylphenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O  117-119                   61      4-phenylphenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O  Gum                     62      4-phenylphenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O  133-134                   63      4-fluorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O  Gum                     64      4-fluorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O  88-90                     65      4-methoxyphenyl                                                                           ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O  Gum                     66      4-methoxyphenyl                                                                           ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O  70-71                     67      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          68      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            69      2-chloro-4-methylphenyl                                                                   ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          70      2-chloro-4-methylphenyl                                                                   ethyl           H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            71      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          72      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            73      4-methylphenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          74      4-methylphenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            75      4-phenylphenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          76      4-phenylphenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            77      4-fluorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          78      4-fluorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            79      4-methoxyphenyl                                                                           methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          80      4-methoxyphenyl                                                                           methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            81      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          82      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            83      2-chloro-4-methylphenyl                                                                   methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          84      2-chloro-4-methylphenyl                                                                   methyl          H   -n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                               H  H H O                            85      phenyl      ethyl           H  allyl                                                                             H  H                                                                                H                                                                              O                          86      phenyl      ethyl           H  allyl                                                                             H  H H O                            87      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  allyl                                                                             H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          88      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  allyl                                                                             H  H H O                            89      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        ethyl           H  allyl                                                                             H  H                                                                               H                                                                               O                          90      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        ethyl           H  allyl                                                                             H  H H O                           91      4-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O  90                       92      4-fluorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O  61-63                    93      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        ethyl           H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           94      3-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           95      3-fluorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           96       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            ethyl           H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           97      4-fluorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           98      2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        methyl          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           99      3-chlorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           100     3-fluorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           101     4-chlorophenyl                                                                            methyl          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           102     4-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  H   H  H H O  93-94                    103     4-fluorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  H   H  H H O  69-70                    104     2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                        ethyl           H  H   H  H H O  75-77                    105     3-fluorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  H   H  H H O                           106     3-chlorophenyl                                                                            ethyl           H  H   H  H H O                           107      .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            ethyl           H  H   H  H H O                           108     4-chlorophenyl                                                                             -n-butyl       H  H   H  H H O                           109     4-fluorophenyl                                                                             -n-butyl       H  H   H  H H O                           110     2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                         -n-butyl       H  H   H  H H O                           111      .sub.-t-butyl                                                                             -n-butyl       H  H   H  H H O                           112      -n-butyl   2-pyridyl       H  H   H  H H O                           113      -n-butyl   6-chloro-2-pyridyl                                                                            H  H   H  H H O                           114      .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-phenylphenyl  H  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                         H H O                           115      .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            4-phenylbenzyl  H  H   H  H H O                           116     4-chlorophenyl                                                                            4-phenylbenzyl  H  H   H  H H O                           117     4-chlorophenyl                                                                            1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohex-3-yl                                                             H  H   H  H H O  84-85*                   118     4-chlorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-t-butyl  H  H   H  H H O                           119     4-fluorophenyl                                                                             .sub.-t-butyl  H  H   H  H H O                           120     2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                         .sub.-t-butyl  H  H   H  H H O                           121      .sub.-t-butyl                                                                             .sub.-t-butyl  H  H   H  H H O                         __________________________________________________________________________     *Compound No. 12 is an imidazole derivative, i.e. the triazole ring in th     formula is an imidazole ring, thus                                            ##STR7##                                                                      *Mixture of diastereoisomers                                                  *Nitrate salt of compound number 43                                           {signifies diastereoisomer pairs                                              *derived from lmenthol                                                   

The compounds of the invention having the general formula I wherein R¹,R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, X and Az are as defined above can be made bytreating the epoxides of general formula (II) ##STR8## with1,2,4-triazole or imidazole either in the presence of an acid-bindingagent or in the form of one of its alkali metal salts in a convenientsolvent; and, thereafter, oxidising those compounds wherein X=S toobtain those compounds wherein X is SO or SO₂. A suitable oxidisingagent is m-chloroperbenzoic acid and the oxidation process is by normalsuch procedures. In the main process suitably a compound of generalformula (II) is reacted at 20°-100° with the sodium or potassium salt of1,2,4-triazole or imidazole (the salt can be prepared by adding eithersodium hydride, a sodium alkoxide or potassium t-butoxide to1,2,4-triazole of imidazole) in a convenient solvent such asacetonitrile, methanol, ethanol or dimethylformamide. The product can beisolated by pouring the reaction mixture into water and extraction intoa suitable solvent.

The epoxides of general formula (II) wherein R⁶ =R⁷ =hydrogen are madeby reacting a ketone of general formula (III) ##STR9## with dimethyloxosulphonium methylide (Corey and Chaykovsky, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1965,87, 1353-1364) or dimethyl sulphonium methylide (Corey and Chaykovsky,J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1962, 84, 3782) using methods set out in theliterature. The epoxides of general formula (II) may also be made by theepoxidation of an olefin of general formula (IV) ##STR10## with thestandard oxidising agents such as hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxideor peracids (e.g. peracetic or perbenzoic acid). The olefin (IV) is madeby treating the ketone of general formula (III) with a Grignard reagent(V) ##STR11## where Y is halogen, for example, chlorine, bromine oriodine, in a convenient solvent such as ether, tetrahydrofuran oranisole and dehydrating the intermediate alcohol. The ketones of generalformula (III) may be made by a variety of methods many of which are wellknown in the literature.

(a) Alkylation of the corresponding α-hydroxy ketones as in Houben Weyl7/2e p. 2232. The α-hydroxy ketones are made by literaturemethods--Houben Weyl 7/2e pp. 2173-2242.

(b) Grignard reaction of R¹ MgY on the appropriate nitrile, R² XCR⁴ R⁵CN, as in Organic Syntheses Collective Volume 3, pp 562-563.

(c) Grignard reaction of R¹ MgY on the appropriate acid chloride, R²XCR⁴ R⁵ COCl, as in Fumie Sato et al., Tet. Letters, 1979, 44, pp.4303-4306.

(d) Grignard reaction of R¹ MgY on the appropriate aldehyde, R² XCR⁴ R⁵CHO, to give the secondary alcohol followed by oxidation to give theketone.

(e) Treatment of the epoxide ##STR12## or the halohydrin R¹ --CHOHCYR⁴R⁵, with R² X.sup.⊖ as in W. S. Emerson, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1945, 69,516-518 followed by oxidation as in A. Kaelin Helv. Chim. Acta, 1947,30, 2132-41 to give the ketone.

(f) Reaction of the α-halo ketone ##STR13## with R² X.sup.⊖.

(g) Treatment of the halo-ketal ##STR14## wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are alkyl ortogether form a ring with RX.sup.⊖ followed by acid hydrolysis.

(h) The ketones where R¹ is alkyl or aralkyl can also be made byalkylating the acetylenic alcohol ##STR15## wherein R¹⁰ =H, alkyl, oraryl, followed by hydrolysis as in B D Tiffinay et al., J. Amer. Chem.Soc., 1957, 79, 1682-7.

(i) The ketones where R¹ =aryl can be made by Friedel-Crafts reactionbetween a substituted benzene and the acid chloride ##STR16##

The compounds (I) of the invention can also be prepared by treating theepoxide of general formula (VI) ##STR17## with the alkali metal salt ofan oxygen or sulphur nucleophile (VII)

    R.sup.2 --X.sup.⊖ M.sup.⊕                      .(VII)

in a convenient solvent such as dimethyl formamide and dimethylsulphoxide at temperatures of 20°-100°. The epoxides of general formula(VI) wherein R⁴ =R⁵ =H can be prepared by reacting a ketone of generalformula (VIII) ##STR18## with dimethyl oxosulphonium methylide (Coreyand Chaykovsky, J. Ameer. Chem. Soc. 1965, 87, 1353-1364) or dimethylsulphonium methylide (Corey and Chaykovsky, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1962,84, 3782) using methods set out in the literature.

The ketones of general formula (VIII) can be made by methods set out inthe patent literature (British Pat. Nos. 1533705/6).

The salts and metal complexes of the compounds of general formula (I)can be prepared from the latter in known manner. For example, thecomplexes can be made by reacting the uncomplexed compound with a metalsalt in a suitable solvent.

The compounds, salts and metal complexes are active fungicides,particularly against the diseases:

Puccinia recondita, Puccinia striiformis and other rusts on wheat,Puccinia hordei, Puccinia striiformis and other rusts on barley, andrusts on other hosts e.g. coffee, apples, vegetables and ornamentalplants Plasmopara viticola on vines

Erysiphe graminis (powdery mildew) on barley and wheat and other powderymildews on various hosts such as Sphaerotheca fuliginea on cucurbits(e.g. cucumber), Podosphaera leucotricha on apples and Uncinula necatoron vines

Helminthosporium spp. and Rhynchosporium spp. on cereals Cercosporaarachidicola on peanuts and other Cercospora species on for examplesugar beet, bananas and soya beans Botrytis cinerea (grey mould) ontomatoes, strawberries, vines and other hosts

Venturia inaequalis (scab) on apples

Some of the compounds have also shown a broad range of activitiesagainst fungi in vitro. They have activity against various post-harvestdiseases on fruit (e.g. Penicillium digatatum and italicum on orangesand Gloeosporium musarum on bananas). Further some of the compounds areactive as seed dressings against: Fusarium spp., Septoria spp., Tilletiaspp. (i.e. bunt, a seed borne disease of wheat), Ustilago spp.,Helminthosporium spp. on cereals, Rhizoctonia solani on cotton andCorticium sasakii on rice.

The compounds can move acropetally in the plant tissue. Moreover, thecompounds can be volatile enough to be active in the vapour phaseagainst fungi on the plant.

The compounds, and their derivatives as defined above, also have plantgrowth regulating activities.

The plant growth regulating effects of the compounds are manifested as,for example, by a stunting or dwarfing effect on the vegetative growthof woody and herbaceous mono- and di-cotyledonous plants. Such stuntingor dwarfing may be useful, for example, in peanuts, cereals and soyabean where reduction in stem growth may reduce the risk of lodging andmay also permit increased amounts of fertiliser to be applied. Thestunting of woody species is useful in controlling the growth ofundergrowth under power lines etc. Compounds which induce stunting ordwarfing may also be useful in modifying the stem growth of sugar canethereby increasing the concentration of sugar in the cane at harvest; insugar cane, the flowering and ripening may be controllable by applyingthe compounds. Stunting of peanuts can assist in harvesting. Growthretardation of grasses can help maintenance of grass swards. Examples ofsuitable grasses are Stenotaphrum secundatum (St. Augustine grass),Cynosurus cristatus, Lolium multiflorum and perenne, Agrostis tenuis,Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass), Dactylis glomerata, Festuca spp. (e.g.Festuca rubra) and Poa spp. (e.g. Poa pratense). The compounds may stuntgrasses without significant phytotoxic effects and without deleteriouslyaffecting the appearance (particularly the colour) of the grass; thismakes such compounds attractive for use on ornamental lawns and on grassverges. They may also have an effect on flower head emergence in, forexample, grasses. The compounds can also stunt weed species present inthe grasses; examples of such weed species are sedges (e.g. Cyperusspp.) and dicotyledonous weeds (e.g. daisy, plantain, knotweed,speedwell, thistle, docks and ragwort). The growth of non-cropvegetation (e.g. weeds or cover vegetation) can be retarded thusassisting in the maintenance of plantation and field crops. In fruitorchards, particularly orchards subject to soil erosion, the presence ofgrass cover is important. However excessive grass growth requiressubstantial maintenance. The compounds of the invention could be usefulin this situation as they could restrict growth without killing theplants which would lead to soil erosion; at the same time the degree ofcompetition for nutrients and water by the grass would be reduced andthis could result in an increased yield of fruit. In some cases, onegrass species may be stunted more than another grass species; thisselectivity could be useful for example for improving the quality of asward by preferential suppression of the growth of undesirable species.

The dwarfing may also be useful in miniaturising ornamental, household,garden and nursery plants (e.g. poinsettias, chrysanthemums, carnations,tulips and daffodils).

As indicated above, the compounds can also be used to stunt woodyspecies. This property can be used to control hedgerows or to shapefruit trees (e.g. apples). Some coniferous trees are not significantlystunted by the compounds so the compounds could be useful in controllingundesirable vegetation in conifer nurseries.

The plant growth regulating effect may (as implied) above) manifestitself in an increase in crop yield.

In the potato, vine control in the field and inhibition of sprouting inthe store may be possible.

Other plant growth regulating effects caused by the compounds includealteration of leaf angle and promotion of tillering in monocotyledonousplants. The former effect may be useful for example in altering the leaforientation of, for example, potato crops thereby letting more lightinto the crops and inducing an increase in phytosynthesis and tuberweight. By increasing tillering in monocotyledonous crops (e.g. rice),the number of flowering shoots per unit area may be increased therebyincreasing the overall grain yield of such crops. In grass swards anincrease in tillering could lead to a denser sward which may result inincreased resilience in wear.

The treatment of plants with the compounds can lead to the leavesdeveloping a darker green colour.

The compounds may inhibit, or at least delay, the flowering of sugarbeet and thereby may increase sugar yield. They may also reduce the sizeof sugar beet without reducing significantly the sugar yield therebyenabling an increase in planting density to be made. Similarly in otherroot crops (e.g. turnip, swede, mangold, parsnip, beetroot, yam andcassava) it may be possible to increase the planting density.

The compounds could be useful in restricting the vegetative growth ofcotton thereby leading to an increase in cotton yield.

The compounds may be useful in rendering plants resistant to stresssince the compounds can delay the emergence of plants grown from seed,shorten stem height and delay flowering; these properties could beuseful in preventing frost damage in countries where there issignificant snow cover in the winter since then the treated plants wouldremain below snow cover during the cold weather. Further the compoundsmay cause drought or cold resistance in certain plants.

When applied as seed treatments at low rates the compounds can have agrowth stimulating effect on plants.

In carrying out the plant growth regulating method of the invention, theamount of compound to be applied to regulate the growth of plants willdepend upon a number of factors, for example the particular compoundselected for use, and the identity of the plant species whose growth isto be regulated. However, in general an application rate of 0.1 to 15,preferably 0.1 to 5, kg per hectare is used. However, on certain plantseven application rates within these ranges may give undesired phytotoxiceffects. Routine tests may be necessary to determine the best rate ofapplication of a specific compound for any specific purpose for which itis suitable.

The compounds are also useful for the treatment of candidiasis and humandermatophyte infections.

The compounds may be used as such for fungicidal or plant growthregulating purposes but are more conveniently formulated intocompositions for such usage. The invention thus provides also afungicidal composition comprising a compound of general formula (I) or asalt or complex thereof as hereinbefore defined, and a carrier ordiluent.

The invention also provides a method of combating fungal diseases in aplant, which method comprises applying to the plant, to seed of theplant, or to the locus of the plant or seed, a compound, or a salt orcomplex thereof, as hereinbefore defined.

The invention further provides a method of combating fungal diseases ina plant, which method comprises applying to the plant, to seed of theplant or to the locus of the plant or seed, a compound, or a salt orcomplex thereof, as hereinbefore defined.

The compounds, salts and complexes can be applied in anumber of ways,for example they can be formulated or unformulated, directly to thefoliage of a plant, to seeds or to other medium in which plants aregrowing or are to be planted, or they can be sprayed on, dusted on orapplied as a cream or paste formulation, or they can be applied as avapour. Application can be to any part of the plant, bush or tree, forexample to the foliage, stems, branches or roots, or to soil surroundingthe roots, or to the seed before it is planted.

The term "plant" as used herein includes seedlings, bushes and trees.Furthermore, the fungicidal method of the invention includespreventative, protectant, prophylactic and eradicant treatment.

The compounds are preferably used for agricultural and horticulturalpurposes in the form of a composition. The type of composition used inany instance will depend upon the particular purpose envisaged.

The compositions may be in the form of dusting powders or granulescomprising the active ingredient and a solid diluent or carrier, forexample fillers such as kaolin, bentonite, kieselguhr, dolomite, calciumcarbonate, talc, powdered magnesia, Fuller's earth, gypsum, Hewitt'searth, diatomaceous earth and China clay. Such granules can be preformedgranules suitable for application to the soil without further treatment.These granules can be made either by impregnating pellets of filler withthe active ingredient or by pelleting a mixture of the active ingredientand powdered filler. Compositions for dressing seed, for example, maycomprise an agent (for example a mineral oil) for assisting the adhesionof the composition to the seed; alternatively the active ingredient canbe formulated for seed dressing purposes using an organic solvent (forexample N-methylpyrrolidone or dimethylformamide).

The compositions may also be in the form of dispersible powders,granules or grains comprising a wetting agent to facilitate thedispersion in liquids of the powder or grains which may contain alsofillers and suspending agents.

The aqueous dispersions or emulsions may be prepared by dissolving theactive ingredient(s) in an organic solvent optionally containingwetting, dispersing or emulsifying agent(s) and then adding the mixtureto water which may also contain wetting, dispersing or emulsifyingagent(s). Suitable organic solvents are ethylene dichloride, isopropylalcohol, propylene glycol, diacetone alcohol, toluene, kerosene,methylnaphthalene, the xylenes, trichloroethylene, furfuryl alcohol,tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and glycol ethers (e.g. 2-ethoxyethanol and2-butoxyethanol).

The compositions to be used as sprays may also be in the form ofaerosols wherein the formulation is held inaa container under pressurein the presence of a propellant, e.g. fluorotrichloromethane ordichlorodifluoromethane.

The compounds can be mixed in the dry state with a pyrotechnic mixtureto form a composition suitable for generating in enclosed spaces a smokecontaining the compounds.

Alternatively, the compounds may be used in a microencapsulated form.

By including suitable additives, for example additives for improving thedistribution, adhesive power and resistance to rain on treated surfaces,the different compositions can be better adapted for various utilities.

The compounds can be used as mixtures with fertilisers (e.g. nitrogen-,potassium- or phosphorus-containing fertilisers). Compositionscomprising only granules of fertiliser incorporating, for example coatedwith, the compound are preferred. Such granules suitably contain up to25% by weight of the compound. The invention therefore also provides afertiliser composition comprising the compound of general formula (I) ora salt or metal complex thereof.

The compositions may also be in the form of liquid preparations for useas dips or sprays which are generally aqueous dispersions or emulsionscontaining the active ingredient in the presence of one or moresurfactants e.g. wetting agent(s), dispersing agent(s), emulsifyingagent(s) or suspending agent(s). These agents can be cationic, anionicor non-ionic agents. Suitable cationic agents are quaternary ammoniumcompounds, for example cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

Suitable anionic agents are soaps, salts of aliphatic monoesters ofsulphuric acid (for example sodium lauryl sulphate), and salts ofsulphonated aromatic compounds (for example sodiumdodecylbenzenesulphonate, sodium, calcium or ammonium lignosulphonate,butylnaphthalene sulphonate, and a mixture of sodium diisopropyl-andtriisopropylnaphthalene sulphonates).

Suitable non-ionic agents are the condensation products of ethyleneoxide with fatty alcohols such as oleyl or cetyl alcohol, or with alkylphenols such as octyl- or nonyl-phenol and octylcresol. Other non-ionicagents are the partial esters derived from long chain fatty acids andhexitol anhydrides, the condensation products of the said partial esterswith ethylene oxide, and the lecithins. Suitable suspending agents arehydrophilic colloids (for example polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose), and the vegetable gums (for example gum acaciaand gum tragacanth).

The compositions for use as aqueous dispersions or emulsions aregenerally supplied in the form of a concentrate containing a highproportion of the active ingredient(s), the concentrate to be dilutedwith water before use. These concentrates often should be able towithstand storage for prolonged periods and after such storage becapable of dilution with water in order to form aqueous preparationswhich remain homogeneous for a sufficient time to enable them to beapplied by conventional spray equipment. The concentrates mayconveniently contain up to 95%, suitably 10-85%, for example 25-60%, byweight of the active ingredient(s). These concentrates suitably containorganic acids (e.g. alkaryl or aryl sulphonic acids such asxylenesulphonic acid or dodecyl benzenesulphonic acid) since thepresence of such acids can increase the solubility of the activeingredient(s) in the polar solvents often used in the concentrates. Theconcentrates suitably contain also a high proportion of surfactants sothat sufficiently stable emulsions in water can be obtained. Afterdilution to form aqueous preparations, such preparations may containvarying amounts of the active ingredient(s) depending upon the intendedpurpose, but an aqueous preparation containing 0.0005% or 0.01% to 10%by weight of active ingredient(s) may be used.

The compositions of this invention can comprise also other compound(s)having biological activity, e.g. compounds having similar orcomplementary fungicidal activity or compounds having plant growthregulating, herbicidal or insecticidal activity.

The other fungicidal compound can be for example one which is capable ofcombating ear diseases of cereals (e.g. wheat) such as Septoria,Gibberella and Helminthosporium spp., seed and soil borne diseases anddowny and powdery mildews on grapes and powdery mildew and scab on appleetc. These mixtures of fungicides can have a broader spectrum ofactivity than the compound of general formula (I) alone; further theother fungicide can have a synergistic effect on the fungicidal activityof the compound of general formula (I). Examples of the other fungicidalcompound are imazalil, benomyl, carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl,captafol, captan, sulphur, triforine, dodemorph, tridemorph, pyrazophos,furalaxyl, ethirimol, dimethirimol, bupirimate, chlorothalonil,vinclozolin, procymidone, iprodione, metalaxyl, forsetyl-aluminium,carboxin, oxycarboxin, fenarimol, nuarimol, fenfuram, methfuroxan,nitrotal-isopropyl, triadimefon, thiabendazole, etridiazole,triadimenol, biloxazol, dithianon, binapacryl, quinomethionate,guazitine, dodine, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, dinocap, folpet,dichlofluanid, ditalimphos, kitazin, cycloheximide, dichlobutrazol, adithiocarbamate, a copper compound, a mercury compound,1-(2-cyano-2-methoxyiminoacetyl)-3-ethyl urea, fenapanil, ofurace,propiconazole, etaconazole and fenpropemorph.

The compounds of general formula (I) can be mixed with soil, peat orother rooting media for the protection of plants against seed-borne,soil-borne or foliar fungal diseases.

Suitable insecticides are Pirimor, Croneton, dimethoate, Metasystox andformothion.

The other plant growth regulating compound can be one which controlsweeds or seedhead formation, improves the level or longevity of theplant growth regulating activity of the compounds of general formula(I), selectively controls the growth of the less desirable plants (e.g.grasses) or causes the compound of general formula (I) to act faster orslower as a plant growth regulating agent. Some of these other agentswill be herbicides.

Examples of suitable plant growth regulating compounds are thegibberellins (e.g. GA₃, GA₄ or GA₇, the auxins (e.g. indoleacetic acid,indole-butyric acid, naphthoxyacetic acid or naphthylacetic acid), thecytokinins (e.g. kinetin, diphenylurea, benzimidazole, benzyladenine orbenzylaminopurine), phenoxyacetic acids (e.g. 2,4-D or MCPA),substituted benzoic acids (e.g. triiodobenzoic acid), morphactins (e.g.chlorfluorecol), maleic hydrazide, glyphosate, glyphosine, long chainfatty alcohols and acids, dikegulac, fluoridamid, mefluidide,substituted quaternary ammonium and phosphonium compounds (e.g.chlormequat or chlorphonium), ethephon, carbetamide,methyl-3,6-dichloranisate, daminozide, asulam, abscissic acid,isopyrimol,1(4-chlorophenyl)-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylicacid, hydroxybenzonitriles (e.g. bromoxynil), difenzoquat,benzoylpropethyl, and 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid.

The following Example illustrates the invention; the temperatures aregiven in degrees Centigrade (°C.).

EXAMPLE 1

This Example illustrates the preparation of3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)butan-2-ol(Compound No. 1 of Table I).

Stage I:

To a solution of dimsyl sodium, prepared by reacting sodium hydride (1.1parts) with dimethyl sulphoxide (40 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere at60°-70°, was added with cooling, trimethylsulphonium iodide (9.42 parts)dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (40 ml), over a period of 5 minutes.After stirring for an additional five minutes, α-4-chlorophenoxypinacolone (10 parts) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (80 ml) was addedrapidly and kept at 0° for about 10 minutes. The cooling bath wasremoved and the stirring was continued for another hour. The reactionmixture was then poured into water (300 ml) and the aqueous solution wasextracted three times with petroleum ether (30°-40°). The combinedorganic extract was washed with water, dried (K₂ CO₃) and the solventwas removed to obtain the oxirane.

Stage II:

To a suspension of potassium tertiary-butoxide (1.9 parts) indimethylformamide (30 ml) was added 1,2,4-triazole (1.15 parts) indimethylformamide (30 ml) dropwise at room temperature and the mixturewas kept at 60° for one hour. The solution was cooled to 0° to -5° andthe oxirane (4 parts) described in Stage I was dissolved indimethylformamide (15 ml) and added dropwise with stirring. The reactionmixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and then heated at 50°for three hours. The mixture was poured into water (200 ml) and any ofthe unreacted oxirane that was precipitated was filtered off. Thefiltrate was extracted with ether (50 ml) three times. The combinedether extract was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and the solventremoved. The yellow residue was purified by flash chromatography oversilica gel (230-400 mesh) and eluted with ethyl acetate: petroleum ether(60°-80°) (1:1) to yield the title compound as a white solid, m.p.85.5°-87°.

EXAMPLE 2

This Example illustrates the preparation of3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-chlorophenylsulphenyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)butan-2-ol(Compound No. 22 of Table I).

Dry dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO: 70 ml) was added dropwise with stirring toa mixture of sodium hydride (1.73 g) and trimethylsulphoxonium iodide(15.80 g) under nitrogen and stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. Asolution of α-triazolylpinacolone (10.00 g) in DMSO (30 ml) was added tothe resulting ylide solution and stirred for 5 hours at roomtemperature. The mixture was poured into water and extracted with ether.The combined extracts were washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, andconcentrated to give a colourless oil (4.51 g) whose infrared spectrumshowed no carbonyl absorption.

A solution of the colourless oil (4.51 g) in dry dimethylformamide (DMF:10 ml) was added with stirring to a solution of sodium4-chlorothiophenoxide [from sodium hydride (0.65 g) and4-chlorothiophenol (3.96 g)] in DMF (40 ml) under nitrogen and stirredfor 2 hours at room temperature. The mixture was poured into water andextracted with ether. The combined extracts were washed with water,dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give the title compound (6.58 g,34% from α-triazolylpinacolone) as a viscous colourless oil whichcrystallised on standing, m.p. 64°-65°.

EXAMPLE 3

This Example illustrates the preparation of3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-chlorophenylsulphinyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)butan-1-ol(compound No. 26 of Table I).

m-Chloroperbenzoic acid (1.40 g) was added in portions to a stirredsolution of3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-chlorophenylsulphenyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)butan-2-ol(2.12 g) in dichloromethane (100 ml) at 5°. After 0.5 hours the reactionmixture was washed successively with aqueous NaHCO₃ and water, driedover MgSO₄, and concentrated to give the title compound as a white solid(1.62 g, 73%), m.p. 140°-145° (decomp.).

EXAMPLE 4

This Example illustrates the preparation of3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-chlorophenylsulphonyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)butan-2-ol(compound No. 31 of Table I).

m-Chloroperbenzoic acid (4.20 g) was added in portions to a stirredsolution of3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-chlorophenylsulphenyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)butan-2-ol(3.18 g) in dichloromethane (100 ml) at room temperature. After 1 hourthe reaction mixture was washed successively with aqueous NaHCO₃ andwater, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give the title compound asa white solid (2.18 g, 62%), m.p. 114°-116° (decomp.).

EXAMPLE 5

This Example illustrates the preparation of1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-(4-methylphenyl) -3-ethoxyhexan-2-ol (compoundnos. 59 and 60 of Table I).

Boron trifluoride etherate (1.8 ml) was added to a stirred mixture of1,1-diethoxybutane (32.1 g) and trimethylsilyl cyanide (22.0 g) at roomtemperature: exotherm. After 3 hours, aqueous sodium bicarbonate wasadded and the mixture was extracted with ether. The extracts were driedover MgSO₄ and concentrated to give an orange oil (36.0g) containing2-ethoxyvaleronitrile (Compare: K. Utimoto, Y. Wakabayashi, Y.Shishiyama, M. Inoue and H. Nozaki, Tetrahedron Letters, 1981, 22,4279). A solution of part of this crude material (9.0 g) in drytetrahydrofuran (THF: 20 ml) was added to a stirred solution of4-methylphenyl magnesium bromide [from 4-bromotoluene (9.4 g) andmagnesium (1.98 g)] in dry THF (80 ml) under nitrogen and the resultingmixture was heated under reflux for 3 hours. After cooling, dilutesulphuric acid was added and the mixture was extracted with ether. Thecombined extracts were washed with water, dried over magnesium sulphate,and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a red oil (10.0 g) whichwas purified by column chromatography on silica gel usingdichloromethane as eluant to give 1-ethoxy-1-(4-methylbenzoyl)butane(5.7 g, 47% from 1,1-diethoxybutane) as an orange oil, IR: 1680 cm⁻¹.

A suspension of sodium hydride (0.70 g) in dry dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO:40 ml) was stirred at 50° under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2.5 hours. Theresulting clear solution was diluted with dry THF (40 ml) and cooled inan ice-salt bath. Solutions of trimethylsulphonium iodide (5.9 g) inDMSO (40 ml) and 1-ethoxy-1-(4-methylbenzoyl)butane (5.22 g) in THF (40ml) were added successively to the stirred dimsyl sodium solution,maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at about 0°. After15 minutes the cooling bath was removed and after a further 1.5 hoursthe reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ether.The combined extracts were washed with water, dried over magnesiumsulphate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a mixture ofdiastereoisomers of 1,2-epoxy-2-(4-methylphenyl) -3-ethoxyhexane (5.15g, 93%) as a yellow oil.

A solution of 1,2-epoxy-2-(4-methylphenyl) -3-ethoxyhexane (4.7 g) indry dimethylformamide (DMF: 10 ml) was added to a stirred solution ofsodium triazole [from 1,2,4-triazole (2.07 g) and sodium hydride (0.72g)] in DMF (40 ml) under nitrogen, and the mixture was heated at 50°-60°for 3 hours. Water was added, the mixture was extracted with ether, andthe combined extracts was washed with water, dried over magnesiumsulphate, and concentrated to give a crude mixture of diastereoisomersof the title compound (5.43 g) as a yellow oil.

Chromatography on a column of silica gel using ether as eluant gave (i)Diastereoisomer A (2.04 g, 34%) as a yellow oil, R_(f) (Et₂ O/silicagel) 0.3; (ii) a mixture of diastereoisomers A and B (0.80 g, 13%) as ayellow oil; (iii) diastereoisomer B (0.87g, 14%) as a white crystallinesolid, m.p. 117°-119° C., R_(f) (Et₂ O/silica gel) 0.2 (found: C,67.20;H,8.02; N,14.02%. C₁₇ H₂₅ N₃ O₂ requires C,67.33; H,8.25; N,13.86%).

EXAMPLE 6

This Example illustrates the preparation of1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-isopropoxy-propan-2-ol(compound no. 42 of Table I).

Stage 1

Metallic sodium (3.0 g atoms, 69 g) was added to isopropyl alcohol (1250ml) at such a rate so as to maintain gentle reflux. When all the sodiumhad reacted chloroacetic acid (1.5 mol., 142 g) in isopropyl alcohol(180 ml) was added dropwise maintaining gentle reflux. After theaddition the solution was refluxed for a further 4 hours. The isopropylalcohol was distilled off, the solid residue dissolved in water (500 ml)and the solution cooled in an ice-salt bath. Concentrated HCl (200 ml)was added dropwise, the sodium chloride filtered off and the filtratesaturated with sodium sulphate. The aqueous solution was extracted withdiethyl ether (5×250 ml) and the ether removed in vacuo to give anorange liquid which distilled at reduced pressure to give isopropoxyacetic acid (70%), b.p. 98°-100°/10 mm Hg.

Stage 2

Isopropoxy acetic acid (0.6 mol, 70.8 g) was added dropwise to thionylchloride (0.72 mol 86 g), stirred at 60° for 1.5 hours and heated to100° for half an hour to complete the reaction. Distillation gaveisopropoxy acetyl chloride (95%), b.p. 140°-141°.

Stage 3

Isopropoxy acetyl chloride (0.37 mol, 50 g) was added dropwise withcaution to 80/80 ammonia (250 ml) cooled in an ice-salt bath keeping thetemperature between 10°-15°. After the addition the solution was stirredat room temperature for 6 hours then reduced to dryness in vacuo. Theresidue was extracted with hot ethyl acetate (3×250 ml) and the solutiondried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. Removal of the solvent gaveisopropoxyacetoamide (85%) as a white crystalline solid, m.p. 41°-42°.

Stage 4

Isopropoxyacetoamide (0.21 mol, 25 g) and thionyl chloride (0.26 mol, 30g) were heated under gentle reflux for 1 hour. Distillation atatmospheric pressure gave isopropoxyacetonitrile (40%) as a colourlessliquid b.p. 149°-150°.

Stage 5

The Grignard reagent was prepared from 4-chloroiodobenzene (0.066 mol,15.7 g) and magnesium (0.066 g atoms, 1.6 g) in dry diethyl ether (50ml). To this ice-cooled solution was added isopropoxyacetonitrile (0.055mol, 5.5 g) in dry ether (7 ml) and the solution allowed to stand atroom temperature for 2 hours. After cooling in an ice-salt bath thecomplex was decomposed by adding water (80 ml) and dilute H₂ SO₄ (30ml). The ether solution was washed with dilute H₂ SO₄ (100 ml), water(100 m), saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (100 ml), and dried overanhydrous sodium sulphate. Removal of the ether gave an orange oil whichwas purified by medium pressure column chromatography (silica CrosfieldSD210 eluted with toluene) to give α-isopropoxy-4-chloroacetophenone(40%) as a golden yellow oil.

Stage 6

50% Sodium hydride (0.03 mol, 1.44 g) was washed with petroleum ether,suspended in dry dimethyl sulphoxide (30 ml) and heated at 70° under anitrogen atmosphere for 2 hours. After cooling to room temperature, drytetrahydrofuran (30 ml) was added and the solution cooled to 0°.Trimethylsulphonium iodide (0.03 mol, 6.12 g) dissolved in dry dimethylsulphoxide (30'ml) was added dropwise at 0°, stirred for two minutes,and α-isopropoxy-4-chloroacetophenone (0.015 mol, 3.2 g) in dry dimethylsulphoxide (15 ml) and dry tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) was added dropwise at0°. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, pouredinto ice water (200 ml), and extracted with (3×200 ml). The ethersolution was washed with water (3×150 ml) and dried over anhydroussodium sulphate. Removal of the solvent gave1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-isopropoxymethyl ethylene oxide (90%) as a paleyellow oil.

Stage 7

50% Sodium hydride (0.02 mol, 0.96 g) was washed with petroleum etherand suspended in dry dimethyl formamide (20 ml). 1,2,4-Triazole (0.02mol 1.38 g) was added portionwise at room temperature and stirred atroom temperature until the effervescence ceased.1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-isopropoxymethylethylene oxide (0.01 mol, 2.26 g)in dimethyl formamide (2 ml) was added and the solution stirred at 80°for 5 hours. After cooling to room temperature the solution was pouredinto water (200 ml), extracted with ether (2×150 ml), washed with water(2×150 ml), and dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. Removal of thesolvent gave a pale yellow oil which was purified by columnchromatography (silica Crosfield SD 210 eluted with ethyl acetate) togive the title compound (70%) as an oil.

EXAMPLE 7

The compounds were tested against a variety of foliar fungal diseases ofplants. The technique employed was as follows.

The plants were grown in John Innes Potting Compost (No 1 or 2) in 4 cmdiameter minipots. A layer of fine sand was placed at the bottom of thepots containing the dicotyledonous plants to facilitate uptake of testcompound by the roots. The test compounds were formulated either by beadmilling with aqueous Dispersol T or as a solution in acetone oracetone/ethanol which was diluted to the required concentrationimmediately before use. For the foliage diseases, suspensions (100 ppmactive ingredient) were sprayed on to the soil. Exceptions to this werethe tests on Botrytis cinerea, Plasmopara viticola and Venturiainaequalis. The sprays were applied to maximum retention and the rootdrenches to a final concentration equivalent to approximately 40 ppma.i./dry soil. Tween 20, to give final concentration of 0.05%, was addedwhen the sprays were applied to cereals.

For most of the tests the compound was applied to the soil (roots) andto the foliage (by spraying) one or two days before the plant wasinoculated with the diseases. An exception was the test on Erysiphegraminis in which the plants were inoculated 24 hours before treatment.After inoculation, the plants were put into an appropriate environmentto allow infection to take place and then incubated until the diseasewas ready for assessment. The period between inoculation and assessmentvaried from four to fourteen days according to the disease andenvironment.

The disease control was recorded by the following grading:

4=no disease

3=trace - 5% of disease on untreated plants

2=6-25% of disease on untreated plants

1=26-59% of disease on untreated plants

0=60-100% of disease on untreated plants

The results are shown in Table II.

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________                                    BOTRYTIS                                              PUCCINIA                                                                              ERYSIPHE                                                                             PLASMOPARA                                                                             CINEREA                                                                              CERCOSPORA                                                                              VENTURIA                     COMPOUND                                                                              RECONDITA                                                                             GRAMINIS                                                                             VITICOLA (GRAPE OR                                                                            ARACHIDICOLA                                                                            INAEQUALIS                   NUMBER  (WHEAT) (BARLEY)                                                                             (VINE)   TOMATO)                                                                              (PEANUT)  (APPLE)                      __________________________________________________________________________     1      4       4      0        4      4         4                             2      4       4      0        --     4         4                             4      4       4      1        0      4         4                             7      4       4      1        0      4         3                            10      4       4      3        0      3         4                            12      4       4      0        0      0         0                            13      4       4      0        --     4         4                            14      4       4      4        0      4         4                            15      4       4      0        --     3         3                            16      0       4      0        --     2         3                            17      4       4      3        0      4         4                            18      4       4      1        0      4         4                            19      4       4      0        0      4         4                            20      4       4      2        0      4         4                            21      4       4      1        0      4         4                            22      4       4      0        3      4         4                            23      0       4      2        --     2         0                            24      4       4      0        0      3         4                            25      4       4      0        0      4         2                            26      4       4      0        0      4         3                            27      1       4      0        --     2         3                            28      4       4      0        0      4         4                            29      4       4      1        0      4         2                            30      4       4      0        0      3         0                            31      4       4      0        0      4         4                            32      4       4      2        4      4         4                            33      3       4      1        0      3         4                            34      4       4      --       0      4         4                            35      4       4      0        0      4         4                            36      4       4      0        0      4         4                            37      4       4      0        0      4         4                            38      4       4      0        0      4         4                            39      4       4      0        0      4         4                            40                                                                            41                                                                            42                                                                            57                                                                            58                                                                            59                                                                            60                                                                            __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 8

This Example illustrates the plant growth regulating properties of thecompounds. The compounds were applied as an overall spray of anemulsifiable concentrate diluted to give the concentrations shown inTable III. The plants were grown in 3" pots in peat compost and sprayedat the 2 leaf stage. Plant growth regulating effects were assessed 12days after application of the compounds. Retardation of growth wasscored on a 0-3 scale where:

1=0-30% retardation

2=31-75% retardation

3=75% retardation

Additional plant growth regulating properties are indicated as follows:

G=darker green leaf colour

A=apical effect

T=tillering effect

The results are shown in Table III. If no figure is given the compoundwas substantially inactive as a stunting agent.

                                      TABLE III                                   __________________________________________________________________________                RATE                                                              COMPOUND                                                                              DAT (ppm)                                                                             AT CC DA LT SB TO SY CT MZ WW BR                              __________________________________________________________________________     2      12  4000         2  1  1     1                                         4      12  2000                                                                              3  3  3  3  2G 3G 3GT   2  2T  T                              13      12  4000                                                                              3G 2  2G 3GA                                                                              3G 2GT                                                                              2G 3G 3G 3GT                                                                              2                                       12  2000                                                                              3  3G 2  3  3G 3G 3GT                                                                              2G 3  3T 2T                                      12  1000                                                                              3  3  3  3G 3G 3G 3GT                                                                              1G 1  3  1T                                      12   400                                                                              2  3  2  3  2  2G 3GT                                                                               G 1  3T 1T                                      12   100                                                                              3  3  2  3  1  1G 2T     G 3T  T                              15      12  4000      1  2  1  1     2      T                                 __________________________________________________________________________     Key to test species in Table III                                              AT Agrostis tenuis                                                            CC Cynosurus cristatus                                                         DA Dactylis glomerata                                                        LT Lactaca sativa                                                             SB Beta vulgaris                                                              TO Lycopersicon esculentum                                                    SY Glycine max                                                                CT Gossypium hirsutum                                                         MZ Zea mays                                                                   WW Triticum aestivum                                                          BR hordeum vulgare                                                       

EXAMPLE 9

An emulsifiable concentrate was made up by mixing the ingredients, andstirring the mixture until all the constituents were dissolved.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 1 10%                                                     Ethylene dichloride   40%                                                     Calcium dodecylbenzenesulphate                                                                       5%                                                     "Lubrol" L            10%                                                     "Aromasol" H          35%                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

A composition in the form of grains readily dispersible in a liquid,e.g. water, was prepared by grinding together the first threeingredients in the presence of added water and then mixing in the sodiumacetate. The resultant mixture was dried and passed through a BritishStandard mesh sieve, size 44-100, to obtain the desired size of grains.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 1   50%                                                   "Dispersol" T           25%                                                   "Lubrol" APN5            1.5%                                                 Sodium acetate          23.5%                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 11

The ingredients were all ground together to produce a powder formulationreadily dispersible in liquids.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 3   45%                                                   "Dispersol" T            5%                                                   "Lissapol" NX            0.5%                                                 "Cellofas" B600          2%                                                   Sodium acetate          47.5%                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 12

The active ingredient was dissolved in a solvent and the resultantliquid was sprayed on to the granules of China clay. The solvent wasthen allowed to evaporate to produce a granular composition.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 4                                                                             5%                                                        China clay granules                                                                              95%                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 13

A composition suitable for use as a seed dressing was prepared by mixingthe three ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 5                                                                            50%                                                        Mineral oil         2%                                                        China clay         48%                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 14

A dusting powder was prepared by mixing the active ingredient with talc.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 6                                                                             5%                                                        Talc               95%                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 15

A Col formulation was prepared by ball-milling the constituents set outbelow and then forming an aqueous suspension of the ground mixture withwater.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 1                                                                            40%                                                        "Dispersol" T      10%                                                        "Lubrol" APN5       1%                                                        Water                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 16

A dispersible powder formulation was made by mixing together theingredients set out below and then grinding the mixture until all werethroughly mixed.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 2                                                                            25%                                                        "Aerosol" OT/B      2%                                                        "Dispersol" A.C.    5%                                                        China clay         28%                                                        Silica             40%                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 17

This Example illustrates the preparation of a dispersible powderformulation. The ingredients were mixed and the mixture then ground in acomminution mill.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 3                                                                            25%                                                        "Perminal" BX       1%                                                        "Dispersol" T       5%                                                        Polyvinylpyrrolidone                                                                             10%                                                        Silica             25%                                                        China clay         34%                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 18

The ingredients set out below were formulated into a dispersible powderby mixing then grinding the ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Compound of Example 4                                                                            25%                                                        "Aerosol" OT/B      2%                                                        "Dispersol" A       5%                                                        China clay         68%                                                        ______________________________________                                    

In Examples 9 to 18 the proportions of the ingredients given are byweight. The remaining compounds of Table I were similarly formulated.

There now follows an explanation of the compositions or substancesrepresented by the various Trade Marks and Trade Names mentioned above.

LUBROL L: a condensate of nonyl phenol 1 mole) with ethylene oxide (13moles)

AROMASOL H: a solvent mixture of alkylbenzenes

DISPERSOL T & AC: a mixture of sodium sulphate and a condensate offormaldehyde with sodium naphthalene sulphonate

LUBROL APN5: a condensate of nonyl phenol (1 mole) with naphthaleneoxide (5.5 moles)

CELLOFAS B600: a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose thickener

LISSAPOL NX: a condensate of nonyl phenol (1 mole) with ethylene oxide(8 moles)

AEROSOL OT/B: dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate

PERMINAL BX: a sodium alkyl naphthalene sulphonate

We claim:
 1. Triazole compounds having the general formula (I):##STR19## wherein R¹ is halophenyl and R² is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl orphenyl substituted with halogen R³ is hydrogen; R⁴ is hydrogen and R⁵ isor C₁ -C₆ alkyl; R⁶ and R⁷ are hydrogen; X is SO or SO₂ ; and Az is a1,2,4- or 1,3,4-triazole ring; and isomers, acid addition salts andmetal complexes thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴and R⁵ are hydrogen.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ isphenyl substituted with chlorine or fluorine in the 2-, 4-or2,4-positions; R² is hydrogen, C₁ -C₆ alkyl or phenyl substituted withchlorine or fluorine in the 2-, 4- or 2,4-positions; R³, R⁴, R⁶ and R⁷are each hydrogen; R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₆ alkyl; X is SO₂ or SO and A₃is a 1,2,4-triazole ring.
 4. A fungicidal or plant growth regulatingcomposition comprising, as an active ingredient, an effective amount ofa compound, as defined in claim 1 together with a carrier or diluentthereof.
 5. A method of combating fungal diseases in a plant, or ofregulating the growth of a plant, which method comprises applying to theplant, to seed of the plant, or to the locus of the plant or seed, aneffective amount of a compound defined in claim
 1. 6. A method ofcombating fungal diseases in a plant, which method comprises applying tothe plant, to seed of the plant, or to the locus of the plant or seed,an effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim
 1. 7. A method oftreating candidiasis and human dermatophyte infections which comprisesutilizing an effective amount of a compound according to claim 3 againstsaid infection.